They have none to look up to for justice

This buddy of a personal aide of a very high political authority has cut a road leading to his metal quarry forcibly through some private properties located alongside a long waterway. 

The khaki authorities to whom the complaint about this injustice was made had told the property owners: “We can’t dash our heads against a rock.” 

So, the helpless property owners rendered unable to take any legal action against the injustice done to them are said to be praying to deities 
for justice.